“I thought that they would assault me” Councillor talks harassment

Remembrance Sunday Barry (Image: NQ)

However, things turned icy between the two parties when they discussed last year’s Remembrance Sunday parade and its eventual cancellation.

Shirley Hodges of Barry Town Council argues that the fault lies with the Royal British legion.

“Last year the RBL accused the council of cancelling the parade on remembrance Sunday historically the RBL organise, plan and run the events on Remembrance Sunday so they asked us to take it on board we agreed to do that as a council, but we needed their help.” They agreed to help us on a Friday afternoon and then on the Monday morning they said no we’re not helping you.”

According to Barry Town Council the cancellation of the event was then publicised by The Barry Branch of the Royal British Legion who said the fault lay with the council.

Because of the parades cancellation it was also alleged that the laying of the wreaths ceremony at the towns cenotaph the same year was filled with anger as a result.

Remembrance Sunday Barry (Image: NQ)

Shirley Hodges explains: “The RBL decided they weren’t going to follow that procedure or what we’ve done every other year and that they decided that the town council were going to do everything last.”

“It was an insult to the council and there were serious security concerns on the day-we had to hire private security because there were serious concerns about the safety towards the mayor.”

I was petrified because I got to the point where I thought the only thing left for them to do was physically drag me across the cenotaph.” – “And I could see that coming, I thought that they would assault me.”

What followed this was ongoing harassment experienced by multiple councillors from members of the Barry British Legion; This eventually turned into a police matter.

“There was harassment at the event last year some councillors continue to get harassment on the street, the police were involved at the time it was horrendous to be perfectly honest.”

“It was based on misinformation put out by the RBL, who blamed everything on the council and never pointed out to anybody that the reason it didn’t happen was because they refused to cooperate with the council.”

Nicola Burand Membership Engagement Officer for the British Legion Commented at the meeting:

 “We’re aiming to ensure our communications are good and ensure we put the right people at meetings, so everyone knows what their roles and responsibilities are.

So, the poor communication doesn’t happen again, and this is what we really want to get right this year.”

Barry Town Council has since received an apology from a national spokesperson for the British Legion. However, a local apology from the Barry Branch has not been received. They have been contacted for a statement.